Thursday, August 27, 2009

After her divorce, Leonora Manin’s life in England is in tatters. She decides to move to Venice to follow in the footsteps of her famous ancestor Corradino Manin and be a glassblower on the island of Murano. Back in the 17th century, where the secrets of the glass are jealously guarded by the ruthless Council of Ten, Corradino must make difficult decisions to ensure the safety of his daughter.

Of the two threads of the story, the historical is the more engaging and exciting. The political intrigues of the day fascinate as do the detailed descriptions of glassblowing. The modern day thread tends to drag and Author Fiorato never succeeded in making me care too much about Leonora. While I could feel her passion for Venice and its arts, the characters came off as strangely cold and lifeless. Still, the two threads come together in a satisfying way in the end, and I closed the novel with a smile on my face.

THE GLASSBLOWER OF MURANO is available now in paperback. Find out more about this international bestseller at the author’s website.

I never seem to like novels that go back and forth with a modern and an historical story line. I just wish they'd stick with one set of characters and develop them the most fully. But this book still sounds good; thanks for reviewing :)

I agree with your review and I felt the same. There are a few of these past/present books out lately and the storylines just aren't equal. Sometimes I think that it was someone who really wanted to write a historical fiction but knew that their audience would grow with the modern touch. Despite the unevenness though, I still enjoyed this one. I didn't fall in love with Leonora but I didn't dislike her so that's good enough!

I have mixed feelings about this book. I feel compelled to read it even though I know I won't like it all that much for exactly the reason you mention (present day storyline is not sufficiently fleshed-out, character not sympathetic).